Cheesy Pull Apart Pesto Bread

Looking for the perfect crowd pleasing appetizer for the big game this weekend? This cheesy pull apart pesto bread is the answer!

Since the Saints are out, I really am watching for the halftime show and commercials. Working for a media company, I know a lot of what happens to make a Super Bowl commercial happen so it is always interesting to see the new ones!

One of my favorite parts about the big game is the food. Really any excuse to eat yummy things with friends is right up my alley! This pull apart bread is so easy and delicious!

It’s cheesy, buttery, flavorful, and with only 4 ingredients super easy! *Recipe card is at bottom of post!

Ingredients for Cheesy Pull Apart Bread

This recipe is super easy because you only need 4 ingredients!

• bread: 1 loaf sturdy bread – more on bread below.
• cheese: use grated mozzarella cheese for ultimate cheesiness.
• butter: who doesn’t love butter??
• pesto: adds TONS of flavor with just one ingredient.

What bread is best to use?

The short answer is crusty bread that is dense.  Artisan bread, sourdough, French baguettes are all great examples of breads you can use.  You want the crust to be firm enough and the dough to be strong enough to stand up once sliced and to hold up to all the ingredients.

Use a football shaped loaf to match the Superbowl theme! I used sourdough.

What is the best cheese to use?

I chose mozzarella for this Cheesy Pull Apart Breed recipe because it pairs beautifully with pesto. I was channeling my inner Italian. You may also use any of your favorite melting cheeses such as Brie, Provolone, or Gruyere.

It is important that you use melting cheese for the ultimate gooey cheese experience. You may also combine other cheeses with the melting cheeses, just as long as the melting cheese is dominant.

Homemade vs. store bought pesto?

If you have the time and energy to make a homemade pesto, be my guest! I found this recipe here that looks super easy and yummy!

However, I see nothing wrong with store bought pesto for this recipe. I would lean more towards a jar of pesto rather than refrigerated.

How to make cheesy pull apart bread

• Slice bread.  Slice your bread one way, turn and slice it in the other direction to create a crosshatch pattern.  Make sure you don’t slice all the way through the bread but leave the bottom in tact. 
• Pour in butter. Melt butter and pour it into the cuts in between the bread.  I start with 2 sticks and go from there depending on the size of the bread. Make sure you get every nook and cranny and don’t leave any dry spots!  To do this, I like to pull the bread back like an accordion – this separates the bread pieces so it’s easy to get in between.  If you run out of melted butter –  simply melt some more!
• Add pesto. Really make sure you get it in all of the nooks and grannies.
• Add cheese. Finally, stuff the pull apart bread with cheese! At this point you can wrap the bread in foil and refrigerate or proceed to bake.
• Bake. Bake bread for 15 minutes at 350° enclosed in foil then open the foil to expose the top of the bread and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
• Serve! Once the buttery, pesto soaked bread emerges from the oven, and the ooey gooey cheese has melted into every crevice, just try and stop from eating half the loaf.  

It is easy, delicious, and to be frank who doesn’t love a cheesy appetizer while watching football?

Who are you rooting for in the big game?? Or are you just here for the commercials and J-Lo?

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